L-theanine – Sharpen your mind, reduce stress and optimize sleep
L-theanine promotes relaxation without drowsiness.
L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves that helps promote a restful, relaxed state without diminishing daytime alertness. [source]
A 2019 study showed that L-theanine has the potential to promote mental health in the general population with stress-related ailments and cognitive impairments. [source]
It alleviates nervousness and tension while decreasing irritability.
Brain Benefits of L-theanine
L-theanine crosses the blood-brain barrier and contributes to a variety of changes in the brain. This amino acid improves focus, attention and mental clarity while reducing the negative side effects of caffeine.
- L-theanine increases the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, and also appears to play a role in the formation of GABA – a neurotransmitter that acts like a “brake” during times of runaway stress.
- L-theanine also enhances brain alpha-wave activity, a marker of relaxation. This effect has been observed to be most pronounced in individuals subjectively feeling the highest levels of stress.
- L-theanine promotes the generation of alpha brain waves, suggesting a state of relaxation.
- Controlled clinical trials have shown that L-theanine can support a healthy stress response.
Get L-theanine at 15% discount.
Dosage for L-theanine
Metabolic Maintenance – 200mg capsules
I prefer the Metabolic Maintenance brand for L-theanine. This brand is more economical per 200mg and has no “other ingredients” except the capsule.
Take 1 capsule one to three times daily or as recommended by your health professional.
Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Amount Per Serving … 200mg (Suntheanine®)
Other Ingredients: Vegetarian cellulose capsule.
Integrative Therapeutics – 100mg capsules
Adults, take 2 capsules (200mg) up to three times daily or as recommended by your healthcare professional.
Serving Size: 2 Capsules
Amount Per Two Capsules
L-theanine … 200 mg (Suntheanine®)
Other Ingredients: cellulose, plant-derived capsule (hypromellose), magnesium stearate.
Why I prefer the ingredient Suntheanine®
Suntheanine® improves focus, attention, mental clarity and learning performance and improves sleep quality.*
- Promotes an alert state of relaxation without drowsiness
- Improve focus without the negative side effects of caffeine
- Enhance attention and concentration
- Clinically researched and patented pure form of L-theanine
Suntheanine® is produced via an enzymatic fermentation process that mimics the natural process in green tea leaves resulting in a 100% pure L-isomer-theanine.
Suntheanine® is protected by U.S. and International patents and is backed by more than 40 clinical studies.
What people are saying about Suntheanine/L-theanine
“Suntheanine® replaces my 2 p.m. cup of coffee, giving me the power of coffee without the jitters. A calm, focused and alert attention is the type of energy we all desire: energy that makes us more efficient, not frazzled and distracted.” — B. Wylde, Alternative medicine expert
“Stress is a promoter of so many diseases; we want to reduce our stress. L-theanine is a wonderfully relaxing amino acid found in green tea that stimulates the alpha wave activity in the brain associated with a relaxed yet alert mental state. Make sure to buy products formulated with Suntheanine, as it’s the most clinically studied and purest form of theanine available.” – Jonny Bowden
Safe for Kids
- Helps improve cognitive function and attention in kids and is useful for children who struggle with ADHD.
- Children and adults enjoy the calming effect that it has on the brain as it promotes relaxation and mental alertness. Cognitive function, memory and attention are improved.
- L-theanine is great to help improve sleep quality.
Talk with your child’s healthcare provider before giving them supplements, including l-theanine. This is even more important if your child has a pre-existing medical condition or is taking medication.
Recommended Dosage of L-theanine for children
The recommended dosage varies depending on the child’s age and weight. Doses of 100-200mg per day are safe for children. Follow the dosage recommendations on the supplement label or as recommended by your child’s healthcare provider.
“L-theanine is a naturally occurring molecule that is present in the diets of children around the world where tea is consumed and no concerns have ever been raised about its safety. I was in charge of a large double blind study in which 200 mg of Suntheanine was consumed twice per day for six weeks in boys 8 to 12 years old with attention deficit disorder. No side effects were reported in any of these boys and I now view Suntheanine as one of the safest natural products that can be given to a child.” – Michael Lyon, MD
Foods with L-theanine
Tea
If you want to get L-theanine in food, you will not be getting the recommended dosage of 100mg or more. Green tea is the best source, but it contains caffeine.
Here’s the average content of L-theanine in different types of tea [source]:
- Green tea: 6.56 mg/g
- White tea: 6.26 mg/g
- Oolong tea: 6.09 mg/g
- Black tea: 5.13 mg/g
L-theanine content in tea can vary due to preparation time and tea processing. Herbal teas do not contain theanine.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are another source of L-theanine. Choose mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, and king trumpet for some of the highest levels of L-theanine.
Get Better Wellness is reader supported. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission when you buy from links on this site. This is at no cost to you.
Recommended
-
Red dye No. 3 ban — why I’m not excited that they are throwing us this bone.January 16th, 2025
-
The Best Amino Acid SupplementDecember 29th, 2024
-
The Health Benefits of NicotineDecember 19th, 2024
-
Modified Citrus PectinDecember 11th, 2024
-
Fermented Black GarlicDecember 8th, 2024
